ICC World Cup 2019: Steven Waugh Warns Other Teams to be Wary of Australia

Australia Cricket Team have named a strong squad for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2019 including David Warner and Steven Smith. They will put all their strength behind defending the World Cup they won in the last edition. And former Aussie skipper Steve Waugh has warned the opponent teams to be wary of the team in the marquee tournament.

Opponents will be wary of Australia: Waugh

Meanwhile, Australia had a dismal time last year, having lost most of the games after the suspension of Steven Smith and David Warner. The sanction saw Aaron Finch taking over the leadership and struggling during the initial parts of the tournament. However, they have picked at the right time, months before the World Cup. First, they defeated India at 3-2 from being 0-2 down in the five-match series. They backed that win with a 5-0 whitewash over Pakistan at the United Arab Emirates.

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They will be brimming with confidence going into the showpiece event. Besides, they have also recalled Steven Smith and David Warner, which will bolster their chances of defending the title. As a result, former skipper Steve Waugh has issued a warning to other teams ahead of the tournament.

“Every side will be wary of Australia. They know the potential of the Australian side. There’s been turmoil in Australian cricket over the last 12 months, but that has been put aside now. We’ve got our best players available to be picked in Smith and Warner,” ICC quoted Waugh.

Both Steven Smith and David Warner have displayed good form leading to the World Cup. While Warner finished as the highest run-scorer in IPL, Smith scored an unbeaten 89 and 91 last week against New Zealand XI in a practice game. Steve Waugh admitted that although they are not the favourites but Australia can cause some damage in the tournament.

Australia will play two practice games against England and Sri Lanka before playing their tournament opener against Afghanistan on 1 June at the Bristol County Ground.